Feryl reached Lithaear 5 days after the fight at the campsite. She had not given one thought to her friends, her mind and heart were focused on one thing and one thing alone, vengeance. She finally realized when she reached Dastrius' stronghold, that while her anger and brute force might suffice, she would have to use intellect to be sure to accomplish her goal. That night she set about making her plans. She stayed awake long into the night, observing and thinking, and her thoughts strayed not once to the friends far away whose thought that night often flickered to her.
In the hours before dawn, she slipped past the guards and into the guardhouse to adopt a more appropriate costume of the dark black robes worn by everyone in the compound. She bound her red hair back, and used charcoal dust to darken it, then she lined her eyes in kohl, as the other women there had, and stained her lips dark red with berries, her face, she powdered white. This was the look all the women of Lithaer wore, and the result reminded her of the dark goddess they worshiped.
The city itself did not seem to follow any certain order, so it was not hard for her to blend in. There were no rules of conduct that seemed apparent, so she did not have to worry about breaking them. She robbed a few of her fellows, and used their gold to stay in one of the inns. She slept with her sword drawn, and tried to learn as much as she could of the place and its master in the tavern below.
Meanwhile back in Devil’s Deep, Laith, Grenwyn, and Mynix were brought before the council to plead their case for help and freedom. The dwarves knew of Dastrius and told the travelers of his hidden compound in Lithaear, in their mountains and to the west. While they had not had direct contact with him so far, he posed a threat to some of their secret trade routes. Though not quick to war, the dwarves were very good at it, and while not wishing to commit a large force, they did want to help see the possible threat erased. It was settled that a team of 20 fighters would be sent, among them would be the best with sword, and bow, as well as the devious trap team.
The goal would be to create a diversion by leading Dastrius’ forces into the tunnels below, but well outside of Devil’s Deep. The dwarves were masters at fighting in tunnels, and setting traps to decimate an invading enemy. With the battle underway, Grenwyn, Mynix, and Laith would make their way to the enemy compound and try to locate Feryl. Ambre listened politely, not saying a word and fully intending on being a part of the raiding party.
Feryl quickly found that the only way to infiltrate the inner section of the camp where Dastrius was located was to join the guard. She simply killed one of the current guards and took her place, and no one seemed to notice or care. She drilled each day and her skill with a blade won her notice from her superiors and she quickly moved up in rank. Feryl's goal was to make it to the inner guard, but she did not want to move up so quickly as to draw too much attention to herself.
Feryl toiled the days away, embracing the life of the soldier, continuing to hone her deadly skills, and picturing each swing of her blade as the one that would kill Dastrius. She thought of Grenwyn, Mynix, and Laith on occasion, wondering of their fates, but afraid to learn the truth. She knew that if they were alive, they would not have let her be taken away, they would have found her, and saved her from herself.
She knew she had become a monster, she killed now without mercy or remorse. Rage was all that drove her. Her past, everything and everyone she had ever loved had been destroyed by Dastrius seemingly on his whim. Her face burned as she thought of what a fool she had been, and the shame made her want to kill. She slipped out into the night, seeking a target, and it was not long before she found one. A young girl was cornered in the alley by a 2 of her fellow soldiers. They were drunk and their intentions were quite clear.
Feryl did not even think twice, nor did she give them time to draw their blades. Their only warning was the hiss of her sword as it left the scabbard, they turned and put their hands up and Feryl had cut one of them down before the other had registered what happened. He was quick and drew his blade and just barely managed to parry her savage chop. She followed quickly, and pressed him into the corner of the alley opposite the young girl who stood there pale and staring. She batted his weapon out of his hand, and leaned against him. She could smell the stink of his sweat. “Not so fun when it happens to you, is it?” she asked as she used her sword to sever his belt, and drop his pants. She cut the front of his shirt open and leaned heavily against him, her breath hot on his neck. She kicked him in the stomach and tossed his sword back to him. “Defend yourself,” she said and toyed with him some more.
His breathing came now in heavy gasps, and tears leaked from his eyes, he threw down his sword and begged for mercy. “How much mercy would you have shown the girl?” she asked, her voice a low growl, “How much mercy do you show the people whose money you take, and whose towns you destroy?” Feryl pierced his head at the base of the neck and his death was almost instantaneous. “A quick death is more mercy then you deserve,” she said.
Feryl turned on the girl then. She was terrified and sobbing. “How came you to be here?” Feryl asked with her sword drawing a thin line of blood across the girls throat, “Are you worthy of mercy?” The girl could only cry. “What are you doing here!” Feryl demanded. “He..he told me he loved me..”she began. Feryl felt rage surge anew, but pity also blossomed in her heart, and she grabbed the girl by the hand, leading her to the edge of town and giving her a few silvers to see her on her way. The girl nodded tearfully and ran, still frightened by what she had witnessed. “One must be careful not to become one…” Feryl whispered to herself as she found her way back to her tent and collapsed into a fitful nights sleep.
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